Leaderboard

Just when you think you've seen everything, down another rabbit hole, here's an odd E-11, this Hero "Live" version has a missing T-track on the right side of the barrel and added T-track pieces to the left side around the lug. Does appear there is missing paint on the right side were the T-track would have been glued. I could imagine this mod may have been carried out so when it was fired it would expel barrel flash on the outside of the wearer (if holding right handed) but who knows. T-tracks and grip also have some weathering, these had been known as plastic so shouldn't of had any weathering. Comes with a letter of authenticity. Description Imperial Stormtrooper Hero E-11 Blaster from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope with Signed LOA from Producer Gary Kurtz (TCF, 1977). This screen used blaster is one of the "live" weapons used during the filming of Star Wars. Bapty & Co., the legendary British movie weapon makers/suppliers, based this weapon on a British Sterling submachine gun which was dressed for the studio. Loaded with blank ammunition during filming, it produced realistic smoke and recoil effects when fired, making the actors look as though they were actually firing laser bolts. Included with the Blaster is a signed LOA from Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz stating (in part): "This is to confirm that the Stormtrooper blaster prop you have purchased is from my film archive. This was one of the 'live' weapons used during filming of Star Wars. Once filming had finished the guns were returned to the weapons hire company which had loaned them to the production. All extraneous parts and dressings added for the filming were removed and the guns went back into the company's armoury. This gun is the original Sterling sub machine gun used in Star Wars, and the additional dressing (sight, grips, cut down cartridge casing, etc.) are also all original film used pieces. The only replacement piece is the metal bracket holding the scope to the body of the gun. This gun has been deactivated and restored to its original screen used condition as seen in Star Wars. This Stormtrooper Sterling machine gun is one of those guns (now deactivated to conform to British firearms regulations), bought back by the Kurtz / Joiner archive in 2003..." Measures 19.5 in. long. Exhibits production use with scuffing to black paint with some oxidation to exposed metal parts. Comes with the original deactivation certificate issued to Bapty when the weapon was rendered non-firing. Provenance: Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 22, July 29, 2005, Lot 171.5 Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. Auction link I had thought this could possibly be the actual blaster as you can see light on the right side of the barrel so it appears to be missing a T-track BUT it has a different scope (lug on right side of scope) A small amount of barrel light here too so appears this blaster is also missing a T-track If anyone does have any images of this "Live" version blaster please do share them. 46 years on and we are still finding details.

Amazing what comes up at auction from time to time. Here's a ANH/ESB Stunt helmet up for grabs And from Christies 2003 (reference starwars.com)

Stirred up some conversation over on the Facebook already, but figured this deserved a thread over here too. A screen matched Hero Stormtrooper costume from Star Wars - A New Hope (1977) has recently come up for auction, and the sales post contains some excellent photos of 1 of only 3 known surviving Hero suits/helmets out of the 6 made for the film. It is pretty much complete and in absolutely gorgeous condition. Enjoy. Per the Auction's description: Original Screen Matched Complete Hero Imperial Stormtrooper Costume from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (TCF, 1977). Vintage screen matched original Hero Stormtrooper costume constructed of vacuum-formed ABS plastic components. This complete hero style helmet features a one-piece green bubble-shaped lens, original elastic chin strap, original mic-tips, original rubber brow and neck trims, and hand-painted details. Complete armor components include torso assembly (chest, back, abdomen, kidney, butt, and 2 ribbed shoulder connectors), left and right shoulder bells, left and right arm assemblies (biceps and forearm armor), left and right thigh armor, left and right shin armor, belt assembly (layered-stitched canvas fabric belt, ribbed front plate, 2 ammo drop boxes, and distressed leather holster), thermal detonator canister, and white brush-painted chelsea boots. All armor components are assembled and held together with original metal hardware and elastic strapping. Also included is it's original off-the-shelf thin black leather belt which was used to attach the thigh armor to the actor. This belt is the only known example in existence to survive the entire production. Black spandex bodysuit added for display. There were only 6 hero style helmets made for the film, making this helmet only 1 of 3 hero helmets known to still currently exist. After filming was completed in England, this being 1 of 2 of the best condition remaining costumes were hand selected and sent back to the United States for additional pick-up shots such as the 'space trooper' standing at the entrance of Death Star Docking Bay 327 as the Millennium Falcon is drawn in by the tractor beam. This particular Stormtrooper is prominently featured throughout the film and can be screen matched sharing scenes with both Princess Leia as well as Darth Vader. It was also featured in the Donny and Marie Star Wars Special (1977), the Star Wars Holiday Special (1978), and the 50th Academy Awards (1978). This incredibly rare and special Stormtrooper costume rich with history is the most complete and best condition example known to exist from the first original Star Wars film (1977). Exhibits age, production wear and handling, discoloration, scuffing, small cracks, crazing, and minor paint loss. Comes with a COA from Heritage Auctions. Suit Gallery Helmet Details It has been confirmed to match the suit seen throughout the film, as shown: Link to Auction HERE

Nice. Thanks for the input. I knew about some of those. I like the tab idea, thanks for the link. The gap at the chest and shoulders - going to try to rotate those a bit. I have a large chest and gut so that doesn't help either lol. My gml was ok with the cover strips for basic. I'm a bigger guy so getting things like this to fit are tough. I'm really pleased with the first suit up.

Is it me? the camera angle or other? I've not noticed the big kink in the left eye before, (left=right hand side of the image) Maybe I don't look at enough ESB lids lol

It really depends how it will sit once everything is strapped together on you and you have shoulder straps attached. I found my chest to abdomen straps were a little loose as the chest kept lifting over the abdomen so I doubled up elastic so it was tighter. I actually added adjustable straps too so I could get it sitting just right.

Did some work with strapping and the front and back halves of the body are fully strapped now. I just need to add the straps from the chest plate to the back plate (over the shoulders) and the strapping from the kidney to ab plate. Just checking to see if this looks good so far! It fits well, but was wondering if some pieces may be too close or far from each other? After this it’s on so strapping the limbs. I was also wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a harness to connect the arms and thigh armor to? Thank you!

Here is an image of the very set of armour now up for auction. this is a photo from circa 2013, and is the same kit that Gino from EFX had the opportunity to take a full set of internal molds from. The story goes that the collector actually also had the original undersuit and neck seal, of which were also replicated down to the fabric patterns. If you are lucky enough to attend a SW Celebration, you may actually meet Gino who has had his full cast set from this armour on display. The armour has definitely yellowed considerably when compared to this photo below.

Here's another "Live" version, this one with missing T-track on the right and no additional T-track on the left side, no lug either, this would probably explain light coming through. No T-Track weathering This one does have the scope lug No OFF on magazine end plate Description Original screen used hero E-11 Stormtrooper Blaster from Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. (TCF, 1977) The E-11 blaster is the standard weapon of the Imperial Stormtroopers due to its compact design and formidable firepower. This screen used blaster is one of the "live" weapons used during the filming of Star Wars. Bapty & Co., the legendary British movie weapon makers/suppliers, based this weapon on a British Sterling submachine gun which was dressed for the studio. Loaded with blank ammunition during filming, it produced realistic smoke and recoil effects when fired, making the actors look as though they were actually firing laser bolts. Following the weapon's use in Star Wars, Bapty removed the studio dressing t-shaped polymer "vent fins" spanning the length of the barrel as well as the scope and scope rail. A vintage replacement scope was fitted with a replicated rail and vent fins returning the weapon to its screen appearance. Measures 19.5 in. long. Comes with the original deactivation certificate issued to Bapty when the weapon was rendered non-firing. A rare piece of original Star Wars screen used weaponry. SOLD ON JUN 29, 2016 FOR: $28,800.00

I don't tend to tell jokes, I prefer to stay in character.

just to let you know that this is the most updated working scheme, using 3 tiny transitors instead of led drivers and a 3.7volts lithium battery. this is the easy assembly kit and all the components needed list the most updated arduino code is here (bottom page): for more info you can reach me on facebook here

Considering the production and design tools available at the time and that it was hand-sculpted? Absolutely. And this is one wonderfully preserved. But also, the true OG suits were haphazard messes. Our Centurions are a laughably high standard of idealization lol